Title: Assist. Lecturer
Department: Dentistry, Prosthodontics
Dental professionals are always mindful of their patients’ oral health and often give advice on maintaining good oral hygiene through regular brushing, flossing, and a healthy diet. However, dental professionals often forget about their own general health due to their busy workload. Many dentists feel that they are only responsible for their patients’ health and tend to neglect the stress and pressure they face to provide dental treatments. Working long hours as a dentist can be extremely stressful and demanding, requiring good time management skills. Every patient needs the dentist’s undivided attention, but as time passes and one grows weary, it can be challenging to provide the best possible care.
According to many articles, dentistry is often identified as one of the most stressful occupations. Dentists face daily demands and work situations that contribute to stress, such as professional isolation, perfectionism, economic pressure, and patient fears.
Several studies have shown that dentists are at high risk of developing musculoskeletal pain, particularly in the neck and back. One study found that 70% of dentists experienced musculoskeletal pain in these areas. Another study found a strong association between low back pain and dental practice, with the risk increasing with years of experience. Exercise can have a significant positive impact on every individual, but in dentistry, it is essential. In order for dentists to work for many years without causing self-harm, they must exercise regularly on a weekly basis. It is recommended that the exercise routine focuses on the back and neck, followed by stretching exercises to maintain healthy joints and ligaments.
References:
https://ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7891924/
https://ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4616098/
https://ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9469284/#ref13